3 Keys to tonight's Stanley Cup Final Game 5

New York Rangers Ryan McDonagh upends Justin Williams of the Los Angeles Kings during first period action of Game 4 during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers’ Keys to Game 5

1. The power play: They’ve proven they can be the Kings’ equals for stretches at even strength. If that’s the case, finding a way to convert on the power play should be the tipping point. So far in this series, the Rangers are 1 for 17, though with a Game 4 caveat. The Rangers were 0 for 3 on the scoresheet in their 2-1 victory, but Benoit Pouliot’s first-period goal came just two seconds after Willie Mitchell’s high-sticking penalty expired, so essentially the Rangers still were up a man as the defenseman raced out of the penalty box. The Rangers took seven of their 19 shots on the power play.

2. Goalie battle: Both Henrik Lundqvist (right) and the Kings’ Jonathan Quick are proving why they’re among the NHL’s best, if not the league’s two best. Quick was the best player on the ice in making 32 saves in the Kings’ 3-0 Game 3 win at Madison Square Garden as the Rangers dominated puck possession. Lundqvist was just as good in making 40 saves in Game 4. And Lundqvist thrives in elimination games, of which the Rangers have won an NHL record eight straight at home. In this year’s postseason, Lundqvist is 5-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage with the Rangers facing elimination, which they will be for the duration of this series. With the goalies playing so well, it’s usually the simplest mistake that is the difference between victory and defeat.

3. Build on the momentum: All the Rangers wanted was a chance to return to Los Angeles for Game 5. Having done that, they can’t think about anything other than another win and getting the series back to the Garden for a Game 6 on Monday night. The Rangers are clearly comfortable in this situation, having rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against the Penguins in the second round. The Rangers are still a long way from a historic rally, but a win in Game 5 could allow some doubt to creep into the Kings’ psyche.